Q: Can I view the whole model run as a loop, rather than loading a new page for each forecast time?

A: Yes! This is called a Forecast Loop under our Animations menu. Once you've entered this mode, it will remain active as you browse the site. However, to respect bandwidth for mobile users on slow connections or with limited data caps, Single Image mode is active by default when you first load the site.

Q: What is the best way to view animations on mobile devices?

A: When viewing a loop animation, you may drag the slider handle on a touchscreen to advance through the loop frames. Alternatively, you can use the slideshow animation format, which allows you to view images full-screen and swipe through the series (note that you can swipe down to exit the slideshow at any time).

Q: Why do the hotkeys used to move through a loop animation change, depending on the animation mode?

A: Our philosophy is that each hotkey moves through the data in a specific way. The angle brackets (<, >) move through the forecast in time, while the square brackets ([, ]) move through model runs. This is true regardless of which animation mode you're in:

In Single Image mode, you can use these hotkeys to move through the data by loading new pages.

In Forecast Loop mode, you're preloading the entire model run, so the angle brackets (<, >) control the looper instead of loading a new page. Meanwhile, the square brackets ([, ]) will change the model run, then load the full forecast loop for the new run.

In Trend (a.k.a., dProg/dt) Loop mode, you're preloading all runs with data available for the clock time you're viewing, so the square brackets ([, ]) control the looper instead of loading a new page. Meanwhile, the angle brackets (<, >) will change the forecast time, then load the dProg/dt loop for the new clock time.

In Compare Models Loop mode, the bracket keys all behave the same way they do in Single Image mode (that is, they will always load a new page, rather than advancing the looper). Separate hotkeys (n, m) are available to cycle through models in the loop, however.

Q: But can I use the arrow keys (←, →) or mouse scroll wheel to move through loop animations?

A: Yes. First, you will need to click the round blue slider handle. Once you've done this, both the arrow keys and scroll wheel will move through loop frames. (When the slider has not been clicked, we allow the arrow keys and scroll wheel to control the page scroll position, as your browser intends).